Oxygen delivery system

ABSTRACT

A portable gas delivery system is provided to provide oxygen or other gaseous mixture for use in emergencies, athletic events, and similar activities. The portable gas delivery system includes a regulator with an accumulator chamber disposed within the regulator and adjacent a mixing chamber. The accumulator chamber receives oxygen or other gas from a replaceable gas source such as a cylinder. The mixing chamber mixes ambient air and gas from the cylinder to form a gaseous mixture which is inhaled by a user. Each use of the portable gas delivery system may be in metered burst of predetermined duration and/or frequency or may be substantially continuous as provided for in the accompanying method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional portable breathing devices are known which range fromemergency breathing apparatuses to nebulizers for delivering inhalatedaerosolized medications. For instance, Orr (U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,442)discloses an emergency breathing apparatus having a mouthpiece attachedto an oxygen container, and includes a decorative front portionattachable to the oxygen container. Williamson (U.S. Pat. No. 4,996,982)discloses a portable emergency breathing apparatus with a mouthpiece,regulator, air storage container, and a holster for storing theapparatus when not in use. Pruitt (U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,223) adapts anebulizer to a standard oxygen delivery tank to deliver meteredquantities of nebulized liquid medication.

In general, the conventional breathing devices suffer from limitationsunique to small portable applications. In many instances, the knownbreathing devices utilize potentially hazardous chemicals. For example,several chemical systems have been developed, mainly for commercialaircraft use, that create oxygen via an exothermic reaction. Theexothermic reaction couples with a reaction in which sodium chlorate isdecomposed to oxygen and sodium chloride. These systems can beinadvertently activated by mechanical agitation, and also require veryhigh temperatures for the decomposition reaction.

In other instances, the conventional breathing devices suffer fromcomplicated constructions requiring, for instance, adapters, connectors,reagent chambers, masks, and metering mechanisms for powdered or liquidmedications for mixing with oxygen or ambient air. In particular, manyconventional breathing devices, designed to supply oxygen, requireseparate oxygen accumulator chambers located apart from theirregulators. Such devices are suitable for stationary settings such as inaircraft or hospitals but are cumbersome in dynamic settings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention provides a portable gas deliverysystem, and a method of using the portable gas delivery system. Thecomponent parts of the portable gas delivery system are simple,reliable, and economical to manufacture and use. Other aspects andadvantages of the invention will be apparent from the followingdescription and the attached drawings, or can be learned throughpractice of the invention.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the portable gasdelivery system includes an accumulator chamber disposed within aregulator with a mixing chamber located adjacent to the accumulatorchamber. The accumulator chamber is constructed for receipt of a gassuch as oxygen in a substantially continuous flow or in bursts havingpredetermined duration and/or frequency. The oxygen is mixable with anambient air in the mixing chamber and inhalable by a user. Thisarrangement satisfies a significant need for a device that is simple,economical to manufacture and use, and effective for supplying air oroxygen in athletic, emergency, recreational and similar settings.

In one aspect, a cartridge, cylinder, or similar gas-containing deviceis removably and replaceably attachable to the regulator of theinvention. The gas may be oxygen or an oxygen-flavorant combination. Theflavorant can be a variety of flavorings such as orange, cherry,peppermint, and spearmint, depending on the user's preference.

According to another aspect of the invention, the portable gas deliverysystem is portably carried in a coat pocket, shirt pocket, pants pocketor the like. For example, the portable gas delivery system issufficiently compact for use by athletes such as snow-skiers,mountain-climbers, runners and the like for refreshment or by necessity.Moreover, the portable gas delivery system is suited for use infashionable “oxygen bars,” which are typically located in metropolitanareas that may have pollution or smog problems. Oxygen bar patrons canuse the portable gas delivery system in the oxygen bar and/or purchaseit for subsequent use.

More particularly, in one embodiment of the invention, a portable gasdelivery system includes a regulator having an accumulator chambertherein and a mixing chamber, the accumulator chamber configured toreceive a gas, the mixing chamber in gaseous communication with theaccumulator chamber and configured to form a gaseous mixture with thegas from the accumulator chamber by mixing in an ambient air; means fordiscretely filling the accumulator chamber with the gas; and an outletin communication with the mixing chamber, configured to deliver thegaseous mixture from the mixing chamber. In this embodiment, theaccumulator chamber is at least two cubic inches, and the gas is oxygen,or the gas is oxygen and a flavorant. The flavorant is selected from theorange, lemon-lime, grape, cherry, strawberry, peppermint, mint,spearmint, licorice, bubble-gum, blackberry, blueberry, apple, banana,kiwi, lime, lemon, watermelon, piná colada, and combinations of theseflavorants.

Also in this embodiment, the means for discretely filling theaccumulator chamber includes a regulating diaphragm defining a holetherethrough and biasing means for biasing valve means for opening andfilling the accumulator chamber with the gas via the hole. The biasingmeans for biasing is a spring and a slide mechanism, the spring disposedwithin the regulator and operably connected to the slide mechanism suchthat operation of the slide mechanism presses the spring against thevalve means to open the accumulator chamber.

Further in this embodiment, the valve means includes devices selectedfrom the group consisting of a Strater valve, a disc assembly, a ballvalve assembly, and combinations of these devices.

Also in this embodiment, the mixing chamber defines a vent therethroughfor receiving the gas from the accumulator chamber.

This embodiment also includes a cap attachable to the mixing chamber,the cap defining a breather slot therethrough, the breather slotconfigured to deliver the ambient air to the mixing chamber to mix withthe gas from the accumulator chamber to form the gaseous mixture. Thecap and the mixing chamber form a mouthpiece with the outlet disposed onthe mouthpiece. The cap and the mixing chamber can be formed unitarilyby injection molding.

This embodiment further includes a cartridge attachable to theregulator, the cartridge containing the gas and configured to deliverthe gas to the accumulator chamber. This embodiment also includescartridge receiver means for replaceably attaching the cartridge to theregulator. The cartridge receiver means can be attached to theaccumulator chamber apart from the mixing chamber, the cartridgereceiver means including a thread assembly for receiving threads definedon the cartridge.

This embodiment also includes a cartridge access device configured toaccess the gas in the cartridge when the cartridge is received by thethread assembly. The cartridge access device can be a pin configured topuncture a portion of the cartridge to permit the gas to exit thecartridge. The cartridge can be from between 2 inches to about 5 inchesin height and from between 1 inch to about 2 inches in diameter.Moreover, the cartridge can be from between 50 cubic inches to less than90 cubic inches. A flow rate of this embodiment is from between 1.5liters per minute to about 2.5 liters per minute.

Moreover, this embodiment of the gas delivery system can include acylinder cover removably attachable to the regulator. The gas deliverysystem with cylinder cover is from between 3 inches to about 6 incheshigh and from between 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches in diameter.

In another embodiment of invention, an oxygen delivery system includes aregulator having an accumulator chamber therein and a breathing outletcomponent disposed adjacent the accumulator chamber, the accumulatorchamber configured to receive oxygen from a cartridge removablyattachable to the regulator, the breathing outlet component configuredto form a gaseous mixture with the oxygen from the accumulator chamberand an ambient air from external the oxygen delivery system, thebreathing outlet component having an outlet therein to deliver thegaseous mixture externally; and a valve assembly attached to theregulator and configured for discretely filling the accumulator chamber.The breathing outlet component can include a mixing chamber with a venttherethrough configured to receive the gas from the accumulator chamber.

This embodiment can also include a cap attachable to the breathingoutlet component, the cap defining a breather slot therethrough, thebreather slot configured to deliver the ambient air to the mixingchamber to mix with the oxygen from the accumulator chamber to form thegaseous mixture. The cap can be mated with the breathing outletcomponent by an attachment selected from the group consisting of unitaryinjection mold, snap-fit, slide-fit, press-fit, or combinations of thesefittings with the mated cap and the breathing outlet component forming amouthpiece.

Also in this embodiment, the accumulator chamber is at least two cubicinches, and a gaseous flavorant is mixed with the oxygen. The flavorantcan be selected from orange, lemon-lime, grape, cherry, strawberry,peppermint, mint, spearmint, licorice, bubble-gum, blackberry,blueberry, apple, banana, kiwi, lime, lemon, watermelon, piná colada,and combinations of these flavorants.

Further in this embodiment, the valve assembly includes devices selectedfrom the group consisting of a Strater valve, a disc assembly, a ballvalve assembly, and combinations of these devices, and further includesa spring and a slide mechanism, the spring disposed within the regulatorand operably connected to the slide mechanism such that operation of theslide mechanism presses the spring against the valve assembly to openthe accumulator chamber.

The cartridge in this embodiment is from between 2 inches to about 5inches in height and from between 1 inch to about 2 inches in diameter.Also, the cartridge is from between 50 cubic inches to less than 90cubic inches. A flow rate of the gas delivery system is from between 1.5liters per minute to about 2.5 liters per minute.

This embodiment also includes a cylinder cover removably attachable tothe regulator. The cylinder cover is from between 3 inches to about 6inches high and from between 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches in diameter.

According to the invention, a method of discretely filling an oxygendelivery system with measured quantities of oxygen is also provided. Themethod includes the steps of a) providing the oxygen delivery systemwith a regulator having an accumulator chamber therein and a breathingoutlet component disposed adjacent the accumulator chamber, theaccumulator chamber configured to receive oxygen from a cartridge via avalve assembly attached to the regulator, the cartridge removablyattachable to the regulator, the breathing outlet component configuredto form a gaseous mixture with the oxygen from the accumulator chamberand an ambient air from external the oxygen delivery system, thebreathing outlet component having an outlet therein to deliver thegaseous mixture externally; b) activating a valve assembly actuatordisposed on the oxygen delivery system to controllably fill theaccumulator chamber with oxygen, the valve assembly actuator operablyconnected to the valve assembly and configured to controllably bias thevalve assembly to an open position to open an aperture in theaccumulator chamber to permit oxygen from the cartridge to enter theaccumulator chamber; and c) inhaling the oxygen from the accumulatorchamber, the step of inhaling simultaneously drawing the ambient airinto the breathing outlet component and forming the gaseous mixture.

According to the method of discretely filling an oxygen delivery system,controllably filling the accumulator chamber can include the substeps ofactivating the valve assembly actuator for a predetermined time anddeactivating; presetting the valve assembly actuator to deliver ameasured quantity of oxygen; and combinations of these substeps.

The cartridge used in the method is from between 2 inches to about 5inches in height and from between 1 inch to about 2 inches in diameter,and the cartridge is from between 50 cubic inches to less than 90 cubicinches. A flow rate of the oxygen delivery system is from between 1.5liters per minute to about 2.5 liters per minute.

Also according to the method, a cylinder cover is provided, which isremovably attachable to the regulator. The cylinder cover is frombetween 3 inches to about 6 inches high and from between 1.5 inches toabout 2.5 inches in diameter.

The method may also include providing a flavorant mixed with the oxygen.The flavorant can be orange, lemon-lime, grape, cherry, strawberry,peppermint, mint, spearmint, licorice, bubble-gum, blackberry,blueberry, apple, banana, kiwi, lime, lemon, watermelon, piná colada,and combinations of these flavorants.

The breathing outlet component according to the method includes a capand a mixing chamber the cap attachable to the mixing chamber, the capdefining a breather slot therethrough, the breather slot configured todeliver the ambient air to the mixing chamber to mix with the gas fromthe accumulator chamber to form the gaseous mixture.

Also according to the method, the cap and the mixing chamber are formedby a step selected from the group consisting of injection molding,blow-molding, extension-molding, press-molding, and combinations ofthese steps.

Other features and aspects of the present invention are discussed ingreater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and advantages of the present invention areapparent from the detailed description below in combination with thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side-view of an embodiment of a portable gas delivery systemaccording to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the portable gas delivery system;

FIG. 3 is a partial side-view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,particularly showing an accumulator chamber within a regulator afterexecution of an axial movement of a slide translated into an axialmovement of a valve according to an aspect of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a side-view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating a manner in whichgases are mixed in a mixing chamber according to an aspect of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed reference will now be made to the drawings in which examplesembodying the present invention are shown. The drawings and detaileddescription provide a full and detailed written description of theinvention and the manner and process for making and using it so as toenable one skilled in the pertinent art to make and use it. The drawingsand detailed description also provide the best mode of carrying out theinvention. However, the examples set forth herein are provided by way ofexplanation of the invention and are not meant as limitations of theinvention. The present invention thus includes modifications andvariations of the following examples as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

The Figures generally show a portable gas delivery system identified bythe numeral 10. The portable gas delivery system 10 includes amouthpiece 12 attached to a regulator 14. A cylinder or cartridge 40containing a gas such as oxygen O₂ is attached to the regulator 14. FIG.1 further shows that the regulator 14 has a regulator body 15 to which acartridge cover 48 is optionally attached to cover the cartridge 40 foraesthetic or protective purposes.

The cartridge 40 may be cylindrically shaped, as shown, andapproximately 2 to 5 inches long, between 1 to about 2 inches indiameter, and hold approximately 50 cubic inches to about 90 cubicinches of compressed oxygen O₂. The cartridge 40 provides a flow rate ofbetween 1.5 liters per minute to about 2.5 liters per minute of oxygenO₂ and potentially other gases or particulates. For instance, the gas inthe cartridge 40 can include various mixtures such as nitrogen,hydrogen, aerosolized medicines, flavorants and similar additives. Itshould be understood that various other cartridges may be used with thepresent invention other than the examples shown. For instance, thecartridge 40 can be square, rectangular, round or other shapes and belarger or smaller with respectively larger or smaller cubic volumes.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mouthpiece 12 has a breathing outletcomponent 18, which includes a mixing chamber 20, a vent 22 and at leastpart of an outlet 24 (alternatively, tube or conduit). A cap 32 isdisposed on the breathing outlet component 18 to form the mouthpiece 12.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a slide 38, which is utilized to activate theportable gas delivery system 10 to receive oxygen O₂ into the regulator14. Operation of gas delivery system 10 including the slide 38 isdescribed in greater detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is seen in anexploded perspective view in which the cap 32 is attachable by snap orslide-fit or other conventional manner to the mixing chamber 20 and theoutlet 24. The cap 32 as shown has a complementary outlet cover 25. Themixing chamber 20, outlet 24 and cap 32 may be unitarily constructed byblow-molding, injection molding, press-forming and similar processes.Therefore, the outlet 24 can be formed as a closed tube on theaccumulator chamber 16 and the cap 32 can be substantially circularwithout the outlet cover 25. Additionally, the mixing chamber 20, outlet24 and cap 32 may be wood, metal, ceramic, plastic, polymers or the likeand be attached in a variety of ways to each other as stated.

Also seen in FIG. 2, the vent 22 is interposed between the accumulatorchamber 16 and the mixing chamber 20 for the transfer of oxygen O₂ orother gas to the mixing chamber 20. The cap 32 and accumulator chamber16 slidingly fit into the regulator 14 in this embodiment.Alternatively, the accumulator chamber 16 can be unitarily constructedwith the regulator 14. In that event, the breathing outlet component 18would snap, screw or slide on the regulator body 15.

A spring 36 is operatively disposed within the regulator 14 in FIG. 2.The slide 38 controllably contacts the spring 36 to activate a valve 44,which will be described in detail below. It is to be noted that thespring 36, slide 38, and valve 44 are provided by way of examples andare not intended as limitations of the present invention. For example,other activating mechanisms, such as a plunger, dial, push-button, orsimilar device can be used in place of the spring 36 and slide 38.Moreover, as will be described below, the valve 44, which is a Stratervalve in this example, may be suitably interchanged with a disc-type orball-type valve assembly and remain within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 2 further shows the cartridge 40 insertable in the regulator 14where the cartridge 40 is accessed by a pin 46 for its contents. Thecartridge 40 defines threads 41 for being threadingly received by areceiver 42 which has complementary threads 42 a (see also FIG. 3). Itis within the scope of the invention that the cartridge 40 be attachedto the receiver 42 in other manners such as snap-fitting, press-fittingor the like. As the cartridge 40 is received into the receiver 42, aportion of the cartridge 40 is pierced by the pin 46. In this example,the threading action as the cartridge 40 is threaded into the receiver42 causes the cartridge 40 to be pressed into the pin 46 and pierced inorder for the contents of the cylinder 40 to be accessed. Once thecontents of the cartridge 40 are expended, it is intended that thecartridge 40 be replaced with a similar cartridge 40 for continued useof the oxygen delivery system 10.

Also shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge cover 48 may be snap-fitted, screwedor attached to the regulator body 15 in any conventional manner. Thecartridge cover 48 is between 3 to about 6 inches high and from between1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches in diameter. These dimensions are ideallysuited for carrying the oxygen delivery system 10 in a user's pocket.However, the invention is not limited to these specific sizes.Therefore, it is intended that larger or smaller cartridges 40 andcartridge covers 48 be utilized as desired.

The cover 48 is shown complementary shaped with respect to the cartridge40. However, the cover 48 may be other shapes for protective and/oraesthetic purposes. Also, both the regulator body 15 and the cover 48may be various colors.

FIG. 3 shows a partial but more developed view of the oxygen deliverysystem 10. This illustration shows accumulator chamber 16 and cap 32forming outlet 24 as described above through which the gaseous contentsare inhaled. As seen in FIG. 3, the valve 44 is the previouslyintroduced Strater valve which includes in pertinent part a plunger 44a, an o-ring 44 b, a ball 44 c and a helical spring 44 d. The spring 44d is interposed between the ball 44 c and the pin 46. The pin 46 isshown piercing a portion of the cartridge 40 to access its gaseouscontents and is designed to permit the gaseous contents to constantlyflow in a direction of chamber openings 39. A diaphragm 41 is disposedabout a portion of the plunger 44 a such that as the plunger 44 a isdepressed, as described below, the gaseous contents flow through thechamber openings 39.

Finally, FIG. 3 shows a portion of the optional cover 48 attached to theregulator body 15 via attachment threads 50 a which screwingly attach tocomplementary attachment threads 50 b of the regulator 14. As suggestedabove, other suitable attachments such as snap-fits may be used in placeof or in addition to attachment threads 50 a and complementaryattachment threads 50 b. Further detail is not required to understandthis aspect of the invention.

Referring to both FIGS. 3 and 4, the oxygen delivery system 10 is easilyplaced in operation by sliding the slide 38 axially, substantially inparallel to the regulator body 15, in the direction of the arrow A. FIG.3 particularly shows that the spring 36 is operatively attached to theslide 38 via a spring holder 38 a. Therefore, as the user slides theslide 38, the spring 36 is displaced axially and laterally from itsresting position B (shown in phantom in FIG. 3) to an operative positionC. In this manner, the spring 36 causes the plunger 44 a to be axiallydisplaced, which in turn deformably displaces the diaphragm 41 andcompresses the helical spring 44 d. The compressed helical spring 44 d,in this example, allows the o-ring 44 b to be displaced in a directionA′ away from the chamber openings 39. Generally, Strater valve operationis known and is therefore not described further.

The diaphragm 41 defines at least one hole 41 a through which thegaseous contents flow from the cylinder 40 into the accumulator chamber16 to achieve a regulated flow of the gaseous contents. Morespecifically, as the plunger 44 a is axially displaced and deformablydisplaces the diaphragm 41, the hole 41 a serves to regulate the flow ofthe gaseous contents at a constant gas pressure of 1–2.5 liters perminute (lpm) in this aspect. The diaphragm 41 in this example can bemade of rubber or any deformable material. Moreover, the hole 41 a canbe a plurality of holes having various diameters, shapes, and placementsabout the diaphragm 41 to regulate the gaseous contents at various flowrates such as about 0.25 lpm to about 25 lpm under various pressures.Further, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to thediaphragm 41. Any suitable arrangement for controlling the flow of thegaseous contents from the cylinder 40 is contemplated. Thesearrangements include ventilators, hoppers, disks with fixed or variableopenings and similar devices to control gas flow.

With further reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, as the user continues toaxially displace the slide 38 in direction A, oxygen O₂ from thecylinder 40 (indicated as wavy arrows) enters the accumulator chamber16. The oxygen O₂ collects in the accumulator chamber 16, which here, isabout 2 cubic inches in size.

It is to be noted that the embodiment described above requires the userto slide the slide 38, for instance, with a thumb in order to allowoxygen O₂ to enter the accumulator chamber 16. This operation can lastan undetermined amount of time, even until the cartridge 40 is emptied,or for random sporadic durations. In other words, based on the userholding the slide 38 in a operative position C, the accumulator chamber16 may be discretely filled with oxygen O₂ as regulated by the diaphragm41 and hole 41 a as described above. However, the invention alsocontemplates a predetermined release of oxygen O₂. For instance, theslide 38 can be constructed to cause the valve 44 to compress thehelical spring 44 d only for a discrete period to allow only a discreteamount of oxygen O₂ into the accumulator chamber 16. Moreover, a rotarydial-type mechanism may be used in place of slide 38 to preset a desiredor metered dosage of the contents of the cartridge 40.

With reference to FIG. 4, the user has released the slide 38 from theoperative position C in FIG. 3 and has inhaled through the mouthpiece12. In this example, the action of inhaling causes the oxygen O₂ toenter the mixing chamber 20 through the vent 22. Simultaneously, anambient air AA is delivered through one or more breather slots 34 intothe mixing chamber 20. The action of inhaling also mixes the ambient airAA and the oxygen O₂ into a mixed air M in the mixing chamber 20. Themixed air M is then delivered through the outlet 24 to the user.

The breather slots 34 just described are illustrated as substantiallyrectangular slots (see also FIG. 2); however, the breather slots 34 maybe different shapes and may have different sizes such as circular, oval,square, or the like. Moreover, the breather slots 34 can have variousgeometries and sizes. For example, randomly spaced circular slots can beintermixed and adjacent to randomly placed square slots.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, it is to be noted that a flavorant Fcan be added to the cartridge 40 and thereby mixed as a gaseous orparticulate flavorant with the oxygen O₂. The flavorant F can be orange,lemon-lime, grape, cherry, strawberry, peppermint, mint, spearmint,licorice, bubble-gum, blackberry, blueberry, apple, banana, kiwi, lime,lemon, watermelon, piná colada, or any flavor as requested by users.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Forexample, specific shapes of various elements of the illustratedembodiments may be altered to suit particular applications. It isintended that the present invention include such modifications andvariations as come within the scope of the appended claims and theirequivalents.

1. A portable gas delivery system comprising: a regulator having anaccumulator chamber therein and a mixing chamber, the accumulatorchamber configured to receive a gas, the mixing chamber in gaseouscommunication with the accumulator chamber and configured to form agaseous mixture with the gas from the accumulator chamber by mixing inan ambient air; means for discretely filling the accumulator chamberwith the gas; and an outlet in communication with the mixing chamber,configured to deliver the gaseous mixture from the mixing chamber. 2.The gas delivery system of claim 1, wherein the accumulator chamber isat least two cubic inches.
 3. The gas delivery system of claim 1,wherein the gas is oxygen.
 4. The gas delivery system of claim 1,wherein the gas is oxygen and a flavorant.
 5. The gas delivery system ofclaim 4, wherein the flavorant is selected from the group consisting oforange, lemon-lime, grape, cherry, strawberry, peppermint, mint,spearmint, licorice, bubble-gum, blackberry, blueberry, apple, banana,kiwi, lime, lemon, watermelon, piná colada, and combinations thereof. 6.The gas delivery system of claim 1, wherein the means for discretelyfilling the accumulator chamber includes a regulating diaphragm defininga hole therethrough and biasing means for biasing valve means foropening and filling the accumulator chamber with the gas via the hole.7. The gas delivery system of claim 6, wherein the biasing means forbiasing is a spring and a slide mechanism, the spring disposed withinthe regulator and operably connected to the slide mechanism such thatoperation of the slide mechanism presses the spring against the valvemeans to open the accumulator chamber.
 8. The gas delivery system ofclaim 6, wherein the valve means includes devices selected from thegroup consisting of a Strater valve, a disc assembly, a ball valveassembly, and combinations thereof.
 9. The gas delivery system of claim1, wherein the mixing chamber defines a vent therethrough for receivingthe gas from the accumulator chamber.
 10. The gas delivery system ofclaim 1, further comprising a cap attachable to the mixing chamber, thecap defining a breather slot therethrough, the breather slot configuredto deliver the ambient air to the mixing chamber to mix with the gasfrom the accumulator chamber to form the gaseous mixture.
 11. The gasdelivery system of claim 10, wherein the cap and the mixing chamber forma mouthpiece, the outlet disposed on the mouthpiece.
 12. The gasdelivery system of claim 11, wherein the cap and the mixing chamber areformed unitarily by injection molding.
 13. The gas delivery system ofclaim 1, further comprising a cartridge attachable to the regulator, thecartridge containing the gas and configured to deliver the gas to theaccumulator chamber.
 14. The gas delivery system of claim 13, furthercomprising cartridge receiver means for replaceably attaching thecartridge to the regulator.
 15. The gas delivery system of claim 14,wherein the cartridge receiver means is attached to the accumulatorchamber apart from the mixing chamber, the cartridge receiver meansincluding a thread assembly for receiving threads defined on thecartridge.
 16. The gas delivery system of claim 15, further including acartridge access device configured to access the gas in the cartridgewhen the cartridge is received by the thread assembly.
 17. The gasdelivery system of claim 16, wherein the cartridge access device is apin configured to puncture a portion of the cartridge to permit the gasto exit the cartridge.
 18. The gas delivery system of claim 13, whereinthe cartridge is from between 2 inches to about 5 inches in height andfrom between 1 inch to about 2 inches in diameter.
 19. The gas deliverysystem of claim 13, wherein the cartridge is from between 50 cubicinches to less than 90 cubic inches.
 20. The gas delivery system ofclaim 1, wherein a flow rate of the gas delivery system is from between1.5 liters per minute to about 2.5 liters per minute.
 21. The gasdelivery system of claim 1, further including a cylinder cover, thecylinder cover removably attachable to the regulator.
 22. The gasdelivery system of claim 21, wherein the gas delivery system withcylinder cover is from between 3 inches to about 6 inches high and frombetween 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches in diameter.
 23. An oxygendelivery system comprising: a regulator having an accumulator chambertherein and a breathing outlet component disposed adjacent theaccumulator chamber, the accumulator chamber configured to receiveoxygen from a cartridge removably attachable to the regulator, thebreathing outlet component configured to form a gaseous mixture with theoxygen from the accumulator chamber and an ambient air from external theoxygen delivery system, the breathing outlet component having an outlettherein to deliver the gaseous mixture externally; and a valve assemblyattached to the regulator and configured for discretely filling theaccumulator chamber.
 24. The oxygen delivery system of claim 23, whereinthe breathing outlet component includes a mixing chamber therein with avent therethrough configured to receive the gas from the accumulatorchamber.
 25. The oxygen delivery system of claim 24, further comprisinga cap attachable to the breathing outlet component, the cap defining abreather slot therethrough, the breather slot configured to deliver theambient air to the mixing chamber to mix with the oxygen from theaccumulator chamber to form the gaseous mixture.
 26. The oxygen deliverysystem of claim 25, wherein the cap is mated with the breathing outletcomponent by an attachment selected from the group consisting of unitaryinjection mold, snap-fit, slide-fit, press-fit, or combinations thereof,the mated cap and the breathing outlet component forming a mouthpiece.27. The oxygen delivery system of claim 23, wherein the accumulatorchamber is at least two cubic inches.
 28. The oxygen delivery system ofclaim 23, further comprising a gaseous flavorant mixed with the oxygen.29. The oxygen delivery system of claim 28, wherein the flavorant isselected from the group consisting of orange, lemon-lime, grape, cherry,strawberry, peppermint, mint, spearmint, licorice, bubble-gum,blackberry, blueberry, apple, banana, kiwi, lime, lemon, watermelon,piná colada, and combinations thereof.
 30. The oxygen delivery system ofclaim 23, wherein the valve assembly includes devices selected from thegroup consisting of a Strater valve, a disc assembly, a ball valveassembly, and combinations thereof, and further including a spring and aslide mechanism, the spring disposed within the regulator and operablyconnected to, the slide mechanism such that operation of the slidemechanism presses the spring against the valve assembly to open theaccumulator chamber.
 31. The oxygen delivery system of claim 23, whereinthe cartridge is from between 2 inches to about 5 inches in height andfrom between 1 inch to about 2 inches in diameter.
 32. The oxygendelivery system of claim 23, wherein the cartridge is from between 50cubic inches to less than 90 cubic inches.
 33. The oxygen deliverysystem of claim 23, wherein a flow rate of the gas delivery system isfrom between 1.5 liters per minute to about 2.5 liters per minute. 34.The oxygen delivery system of claim 23, further including a cylindercover, the cylinder cover removably attachable to the regulator.
 35. Theoxygen delivery system of claim 34, wherein the gas delivery system withcylinder cover is from between 3 inches to about 6 inches high and frombetween 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches in diameter.
 36. A method ofdiscretely filling an oxygen delivery system with measured quantities ofoxygen, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the oxygendelivery system with a regulator having an accumulator chamber thereinand a breathing outlet component disposed adjacent the accumulatorchamber, the accumulator chamber configured to receive oxygen from acartridge via a valve assembly attached to the regulator, the cartridgeremovably attachable to the regulator, the breathing outlet componentconfigured to form a gaseous mixture with the oxygen from theaccumulator chamber and an ambient air from external the oxygen deliverysystem, the breathing outlet component having an outlet therein todeliver the gaseous mixture externally; b) activating a valve assemblyactuator disposed on the oxygen delivery system to controllably fill theaccumulator chamber with oxygen, the valve assembly actuator operablyconnected to the valve assembly and configured to controllably bias thevalve assembly to an open position to open an aperture in theaccumulator chamber to permit oxygen from the cartridge to enter theaccumulator chamber; and c) inhaling the oxygen from the accumulatorchamber, the step of inhaling simultaneously drawing the ambient airinto the breathing outlet component and forming the gaseous mixture. 37.The method of discretely filling an oxygen delivery system of claim 36,wherein step b) controllably fills the accumulator chamber selected fromthe substeps consisting of activating the valve assembly actuator for apredetermined time and deactivating; presetting the valve assemblyactuator to deliver a measured quantity of oxygen; and combinationsthereof.
 38. The method of discretely filling an oxygen delivery systemof claim 36, wherein the cartridge is from between 2 inches to about 5inches in height and from between 1 inch to about 2 inches in diameter.39. The method of discretely filling an oxygen delivery system of claim36, wherein the cartridge is from between 50 cubic inches to less than90 cubic inches.
 40. The method of discretely filling an oxygen deliverysystem of claim 36, wherein a flow rate of the oxygen delivery system isfrom between 1.5 liters per minute to about 2.5 liters per minute. 41.The method of discretely filling an oxygen delivery system of claim 36,further including a cylinder cover, the cylinder cover removablyattachable to the regulator.
 42. The method of discretely filling anoxygen delivery system of claim 36, wherein the oxygen delivery systemwith cylinder cover is from between 3 inches to about 6 inches high andfrom between 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches in diameter.
 43. The methodof discretely filling an oxygen delivery system of claim 36, furtherincluding a flavorant mixed with the oxygen.
 44. The method ofdiscretely filling an oxygen delivery system of claim 43, wherein theflavorant is selected from the group consisting of orange, lemon-lime,grape, cherry, strawberry, peppermint, mint, spearmint, licorice,bubble-gum, blackberry, blueberry, apple, banana, kiwi, lime, lemon,watermelon, piná colada, and combinations thereof.
 45. The method ofdiscretely filling an oxygen delivery system of claim 43, wherein thebreathing outlet component includes a cap and a mixing chamber the capattachable to the mixing chamber, the cap defining a breather slottherethrough, the breather slot configured to deliver the ambient air tothe mixing chamber to mix with the gas from the accumulator chamber toform the gaseous mixture.
 46. The method of discretely filling an oxygendelivery system of claim 45, wherein the cap and the mixing chamber areformed by a step selected from the group consisting of injectionmolding, blow-molding, extension-molding, press-molding, andcombinations thereof.